Understanding happiness is an important topic in Positive Psychology. Over time, different ideas and definitions have come up. People debate whether true happiness can be reached or if it’s just a passing feeling.

What is Happiness?

1. Hedonic Happiness:

   • This type of happiness is all about seeking pleasure and avoiding pain.
   • It relates to quick enjoyment and good feelings we get from our senses.
   • Studies show that hedonic well-being makes up about 50% of how happy someone feels overall.

2. Eudaimonic Happiness:

   • This focuses on finding meaning and purpose in life.
   • It is connected to personal growth and becoming your best self.
   • Research has found that people who chase eudaimonic goals usually feel more satisfied and happy with their lives.

Ideas About Happiness

1. Subjective Well-Being (SWB):

   • Ed Diener made this idea popular. It looks at how people view their own lives.
   • SWB includes three parts: life satisfaction, positive moods, and a lack of negative moods.
   • About 75% of people say they are happy, with an average happiness score around 7.5 out of 10.

2. Positive Psychology Model:

   • Martin Seligman created a theory about well-being that includes five parts: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment (or PERMA).
   • A study found that taking part in at least three of these areas can boost happiness by about 20%.

3. Set Point Theory:

   • This theory says that everyone has a natural level of happiness that is affected by genetics and life experiences.
   • It is believed that about 50% of our happiness is due to our genes, meaning there’s a limit to how much we can change our happiness.

Facts About Happiness

• The World Happiness Report says important factors that affect happiness include social support, money, health, and the freedom to make choices.
• Countries like Finland, Denmark, and Switzerland are often rated as the happiest because people there trust their governments and social systems.
• A Gallup poll showed that people who exercise regularly are 27% more likely to feel happy most of the time.

Conclusion: Is Happiness Real or Just a Dream?

The search for real happiness depends on how each person sees it. While hedonic happiness might be short-lived, eudaimonic happiness offers longer-lasting joy. Scientific theories and studies suggest that even though genetics play a role, getting involved in activities that boost well-being can increase overall happiness.

So, it seems that true happiness is possible through thoughtful actions and strong relationships. However, it does take regular effort and self-reflection instead of just chasing quick pleasures.